Detroit Tigers Sign Shelby Miller To One-Year Contract

The Detroit Tigers signed Los Angeles Dodgers free agent pitcher Shelby Miller to a one-year contract worth $3 million with a club option for the 2025 season worth $4.25 million. If the club option is not exercised, Miller is entitled to a $250,000 buyout.

Miller’s contract includes performance bonuses in 2024 and 2025 that can increase his base salary by up to $1.175 million for games pitched and games finished in each season: $100,000 each for 50, 55 and 60 games pitched, $125,000 for 65 games pitched, $150,000 for 70 games pitched and $150,000 each for 40, 45, 50 and 55 games finished.

Miller’s 2025 club option also includes escalators that can increase his 2025 base salary by up to $1.4 million for games pitched and games finished in 2024: $100,000 each for 50, 55 and 60 games pitched, $150,000 each for 65 and 70 games pitched and $200,000 each for 40, 45, 50 and 55 games finished.

The 33-year-old had an impressive 2023 season with the Dodgers when healthy, appearing in 36 games, including one start, and posting a 3-0 record with one save, a 1.71 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 42 innings. He finished the season with a 0.90 WHIP and limited opponents to a .135 batting average.

Miller also made one postseason appearance for the Dodgers, throwing two scoreless innings with one hit allowed and three strikeouts in Game 1 of the National League Division Series vs. Arizona.

Among National League relievers with at least 40 innings pitched last season, Miller ranked second with a 0.90 WHIP and .131 opponent batting average, while he was sixth with a 1.76 ERA.

Previously, Miller was selected to the National League All-Star Team in 2015 with the Atlanta Braves, starting 33 games and posting a 3.02 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 205.1 innings. He ranked tied for 10th among National League pitchers with 21 quality starts, while he was 11th with a 3.02 ERA and .238 opponent batting average and 12th with a .663 opponent OPS.

Miller has pitched in parts of 11 Major League seasons, posting a 41-58 career record with a 4.08 ERA (820.0IP/372ER) and 686 strikeouts. He finished third in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year in 2013 and played in the MLB All-Star Futures Game in 2010 and 2011.

Shelby Miller injuries with Dodgers

Miller missed 10 weeks due to neck pain that was caused by a herniated disc. When he was originally placed on the 15-day injured list June 21, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts estimated Miller would only be out for a few weeks.

However, it was then discovered Miller’s neck injury was more serious than initially believed. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 14 as the herniated disc caused numbness down Miller’s left arm. Miller was not activated off the 60-day IL until the end of August.